Polymers

Polymers

Limestone, dolomite and clay serve as filler in many polymers, such as plastic, rubber, paint, adhesives and carpet backing. A large number of applications require strictly-controlled chemistry and particle size. All of our products we supply to this market meet the required high standards. We also offer customized solutions in terms of the range of particle size distribution or/and limitation of the top cut.

Polymers are a large group of natural and synthetic materials. Limestone products act as a filler to enhance their innate properties and offer additional advantages.

Functional fillers in plastic

Limestone acts as a functional filler in the production of molded and extruded plastic parts, including plastic pipes, electrical boxes, wire and cable, calendared film, plastic furniture, construction barriers, vinyl siding and floor tiles. It is also used as filler in resins for spray-up fiberglass (bathtub and shower) and resin-cast products, such as cultured marble. Limestone filler can replace expensive crude oil-based plastic materials.

Our products are carefully controlled in terms of chemistry and particle size to reduce variation in viscosity and flow. They also reduce or eliminate wear and abrasion in extruding equipment. Tailor-made blends are available to optimize desired properties such as particle packing, modulus of rupture, stiffness and opacity, as well as tensile and compressive strength.

Paint

Limestone is added as a filler and pigment extender in emulsion paint formulations. Strict control of particle size is critical.

Adhesives, caulks and sealants

A wide variety of products, including latex-based (butyl rubber and butadiene) adhesives and sealing compounds, construction adhesives and wood putties, rely on limestone as a filler. Consistent high-calcium chemistry is important to reduce the viscosity effects of magnesium and the wear and bonding strength deficiencies of silica.

Carpet backing

Used as filler, limestone improves stiffness, weight and handling characteristics of latex-backed carpet. It also increases compound stability during manufacturing. Particle surface characteristics are important for correct binding to the latex medium so that fallout and delamination do not occur after installation.